The Land of Lincoln is so financially troubled that it may have to pry from its historical collection prized artifacts, such as President Abraham Lincoln’s blood-stained gloves, to pay off debt.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation on Thursday revealed its financial straits, saying it still carried $10 million of debt accrued after a major purchase of Lincoln relics in 2007. Some of the items from that $25 million purchase are on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in downtown Springfield.

“If the Foundation is not able to secure commitments in the very near future to retire most if not all of the remaining $9.7 million debt, it will have no choice but to accelerate the possibility of selling these unique artifacts on the private market which would likely remove them from public view forever,” the foundation said in a statement, according to the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke. “The foundation — which is separate from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum — paid $25 million in 2007 to acquire the Barry and Louise Taper Collection, an extensive collection of Lincoln artifacts and other objects. Among the items that are part of the collection is a stovepipe hat purported to have been worn by Lincoln, bloodstained gloves Lincoln wore the night he was assassinated, an 1824 book containing the first known example of Lincoln’s handwriting and items related to Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth ...“While the Foundation’s lender has been quite helpful, we now face significant uncertainty about whether the Foundation’s lender will be willing and able to refinance the loan at affordable terms,” Story here

State help? The foundation noted that it had asked both the Legislature and the governor for financial assistance, but has not received a commitment.

THE GATE IS OPEN — For the first time in 25 years, O’Hare International Airport will open new gates today -- five of them, that is -- with much fanfare from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and American Airlines CEO Doug Parker. The mayor’s office called it the first step in O’Hare’s $8.5 billion terminal expansion plan. “Additional gates at O'Hare will benefit passengers with better on-time performance, better amenities, and new travel options,” a release from the mayor’s office said.

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STATE

— “Veterans home disease outbreak notification requirement heads to Rauner’s desk,” by State Journal-Register’s Maximilian Kwiatkowski: “Strict standards for notifying Illinois veterans homes’ residents and their families of disease outbreaks have passed both houses of the legislature, leaving it up to Gov. Bruce Rauner to make it law. After passing the House two weeks ago, House Bill 4278 passed the Senate 52-0 Thursday. The bill would require residents of state-run veterans homes and their families to be notified within a day of two or more people contracting any highly deadly infectious disease.” Story here

— “Rauner’s EPA does about-face, will hold public meetings on VW money,” by Better Government Association’s Brett Chase: “Amid mounting pressure from critics, Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration is reversing course and agreeing to hold three public meetings on how $109 million in settlement cash from the Volkswagen air-emissions scandal should be spent. The decision follows complaints by environmentalists, health groups, advocates for alternative fuels and some state lawmakers who said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Alec Messina was cutting backroom deals with big-business representatives on how to spend the windfall.” Story here

GOVERNOR’S RACE

— “The Democratic Machine’s New Monarch,” by Edward McClelland for Chicago Magazine: “In the early 1960s, a businessman named Arnold Maremont decided he wanted to run for U.S. Senate. So he made the pilgrimage all aspiring Democratic politicians were required to make in those days: to meet with Mayor Richard J. Daley … Back then, millionaires needed the party. Today, the party needs millionaires—or even billionaires. In his bid for the governor’s seat, J.B. Pritzker, a Hyatt hotel chain heir born with not just a silver spoon but an entire cutlery set in his mouth, has positioned himself as a political outsider who, because of his money, is immune to the influence of special interests and political bosses. Nonetheless, the Democratic candidate has been embraced by House speaker Michael Madigan, Illinois’s most powerful machine boss, in no small part because a win for Pritzker would allow Madigan to thrive.” Story here

DOWNSTATE

— “The metro-east has some of Illinois’ worst nursing homes, data says. Here’s why,” by Belleville News-Democrat’s Kaley Johnson: “Nursing homes across the state, and especially in the metro-east, appear to be struggling to provide quality care. Critics say this is possibly due to inadequate government reimbursement or perhaps a failure to invest enough in staffing and patient care. Local facilities have been issued numerous violations for neglect, bedsores, failure to investigate residents’ injuries and other issues. Some blame nursing home owners for the lack of proper care in these homes, claiming corporations and owners are funneling money away from staffing and residents’ care and into their own pockets.” Story here

— “At Southern Illinois University, a growing Edwardsville campus flexes its muscles,” by Chicago Tribune’s Dawn Rhodes: “For years, there was a natural order to life in the Southern Illinois University system: The flagship campus in Carbondale had the higher enrollment, the bigger budget and the storied men’s basketball team while Edwardsville, established nearly 90 years after Carbondale, worked to build up its cachet. That was before enrollment began a long decline at Carbondale while Edwardsville gradually found its niche in Greater St. Louis, the second-largest metro area in Illinois. Now enrollment at the two schools is nearly identical, and Edwardsville officials say it is time that the two-campus university system reassess how it divvies up its funding. And some area lawmakers are renewing a push to sever the two campuses.” Story here

CHICAGO

FILMED IN CHICAGO — NBC renewed fourChicago-based TV series produced by Dick Wolf. Mayor Emanuel gave him a shoutout on Twitter: “Congratulations to my friend Dick Wolf for the renewal of the hit TV shows @NBCChicagoPD, @NBCChicagoFire, @NBCChicagoMed, and @nbcsvu. Thank you for choosing Chicago. I look forward to watching the new seasons. #OneChicago #ChicagoMade.”

— “Chicago Begins To Rethink How Bankruptcy Lawyers Get Paid,” by ProPublica Illinois’ Melissa Sanchez: “For years, putting the lawyers and their fees ahead of other creditors through so-called “step up” payment plans has been standard practice among bankruptcy firms in the Northern District of Illinois, which includes Chicago. Getting paid early is what motivates some lawyers to take on higher-risk clients who can’t afford to put much money down before filing. But it also means many people who cycle through one bankruptcy after another never make a dent in their debt, as most of their required monthly payments goes toward attorney’s fees. That might be changing. Late last year, a bankruptcy court trustee filed a series of objections over attorney compensation in several cases, arguing that the practice is self-serving and potentially harmful to clients. Three of the 10 active bankruptcy judges on the Northern District bench recently issued opinions critical of the practice, including in Williams-Hayes’ case.” Story here

— “No small plans for 62-acre South Loop site along Chicago River,” by Chicago Tribune’s Ryan Ori: “Related Midwest presented the long-awaited design, which includes a 100-foot-wide walkway lined by restaurants overlooking the Chicago River, at the first public meeting on the project Thursday night. The project, which the developer estimates could take 20 years and more than $5 billion to complete, has the potential to transform a sprawling riverfront parcel with a bumpy past.” Story here

— “It’s time for it to be #TimesUp on harassment at CFD,” by Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board: “Violence like that cannot be tolerated in any workplace. The investigation should be wrapped up as quickly as possible, and any appropriate punishment doled out swiftly. But then what? CFD, and City Hall, can’t stop there. Resolving this incident is only the beginning of reforming a macho CFD culture, with a history of resistance to bringing women and African-Americans into its ranks.” Story here

— “Lawsuits, citizen complaints dog 2 CPD cops charged with stealing cash, drugs,” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Sam Charles, Andy Grimm, Frank Main and Jon Seidel: “Two Chicago Police officers charged with stealing cash and drugs during searches after submitting false affidavits to judges to obtain warrants have been the subjects of dozens of misconduct complaints over the years. Sgt. Xavier Elizondo and Officer David Salgado, both assigned to an Area Central gang team in the Ogden District on the West Side, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of embezzlement. Salgado is also charged with making a false statement to the FBI.” Story here

AROUND THE COLLARS

— “Willow Creek elders: ‘We are sorry. … Some of (Bill Hybels’) choices were inappropriate’,” by The Daily Herald’s Natalie Watts: “Two weeks into their investigation into allegations of misconduct involving former Senior Pastor Bill Hybels, leaders from the Willow Creek Community Church issued an apology on the church's website Wednesday night, saying ‘at least some of Bill's choices were inappropriate.’” Story here

MAYOR’s RACE

Lori Lightfoot’s formal entry into the mayor’s race on Thursday makes her the 10th candidate.

— “Who has a shot at toppling Emanuel?” by Crain’s Chicago Business’ Greg Hinz: “As former Chicago Police Board chief Lori Lightfoot officially gets into the race for mayor today, we're finally getting close to seeing the full shape of the mayoral field—I think. Former lieutenant governor hopeful Ra Joy and county Commissioner Bridget Gainer are still pondering, and I'll be stunned if a Latino candidate doesn't announce by the end, too. But given the size of the field and the dimensions of what is needed to be done to be a credible candidate, we're pretty far into the process. So, Chicago, who should you take seriously, and who's just in it to stroke their ego?” Story here Video

— “Lori Lightfoot Launches Mayoral Campaign,” by WTTW’s Paris Schutz: “She says it’s not personal, but she’s disillusioned with the direction the city is going on crime, finances and schools. Lightfoot – who is openly gay – stepped out Thursday with her longtime partner and their young daughter. She spoke of a need to have a respectful engagement with citizens, and to end us-versus-them, winner-take-all politics. She also shared a disdain for what she feels is an administration that governs by top-down dictates, and says she’s most motivated by the stark differences in the city between downtown and the South and West sides. ‘If you live in the Loop, your life expectancy is 85 years,’ Lightfoot said. ‘But if you go a few train rides west, your life expectancy plummets to 69 years, a figure we haven’t seen since the 1960s.” Story here

— “Lightfoot shakes off “ingrate” label at campaign launch,” by Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman: “It’s not about turning on anybody. It’s about saying that our city is going in the wrong direction and that we need to chart a different course,’ Lightfoot said to the laughter and applause from her supporters at a downtown hotel … By using that platform to hammer the mayor, Lightfoot is committing the “ultimate act of betrayal,” said Ald. Nick Sposato (38th), who has had his differences with Emanuel. “It’s unconscionable what she’s doing. I’m so furious about this. It’s disloyalty at its best,” Sposato said Thursday. “When somebody you trust to do a job flips on you, to me, that’s the ultimate betrayal. It’s not something you do in life.” Story here

MEDIA

— “Tribune parent takes hit from Ferro payout,” by Crain’s Chicago Business’ Lynne Marek: “Chicago Tribune parent Tronc's loss ballooned during the first quarter as the struggling Chicago newspaper company accelerated a $15 million payment to its former chairman. Tronc said in an earnings report yesterday that it would pay out the remainder of a $15 million consulting contract with ex-Chairman Michael Ferro, who exited in March just before a report came out in which two women alleged he made unwanted sexual advances. The contract, entered into late last year, had already paid him $5 million in January, and promised the remaining $10 million would be paid over the next two years.” Story here

DELEGATION

— “Sen. Duckworth, 28 other veterans call for Nicholson apology,” by AP’s Scott Bauer: “Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, of Illinois, joined with 28 other veterans Wednesday in calling for Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson to apologize for questioning the ‘cognitive thought process’ of veterans who are Democrats. Nicholson refused. Nicholson is a Marine veteran running against state Sen. Leah Vukmir for a chance to take on Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in November. The primary is Aug. 14 but on Saturday Wisconsin Republicans will vote at their state convention on which candidate to endorse.” Story here

— “Mel Reynolds vows to serve jail term and leave country: ‘I’m done with America,’” by Chicago Sun-Times’ Mark Brown: “Former U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds is headed back to jail, but for a short enough time — four months — that he said hopes to be living in Africa by Christmas. ‘I’m done with America. I’m going to do this, and I’m going home — to Africa. … I’ve given up on America,’ Reynolds told reporters after U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman sentenced him to six months imprisonment for his failure to file income tax returns.” Story here

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